Effect of physical exercise on blood pressure measurements in postgraduate students.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of exercise and sex difference on the blood pressure (BP) of postgraduate students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu. Design: This study involved 100 students selected using convenience sampling method, aged between 30 and 50 years. Lecturers and undergraduate students were exempted from the study. BP was measured using Sphygmomanometer before exercise and after exercise. First group of subjects were subjected to one hour of walking exercise and the second group was subjected to joggling exercise for one hour. On the same day, immediately after the exercise BP measurement was done initially and at 30 minutes interval for two hours. All measurements were recorded in the recording book. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistic. Results: 41 to 45 years age group constituted the highest group. There were 32(32.0% ) subjects in this age group. None of the participants were obese. 43(43%) of the participants were overweight. 57(57.0%) were of normal BMI. In the mild exercise group the reduction in mean SBP of 120.84mmHg ±0.98 at baseline is significant when compared with SBP ll l.87mmHg ±1.30 after 60 minutes of exercise. The mean decrease DBP of 76.16mmHg±0.95 is significant when compared with 71.98mmHg±0.54 after 60 minutes of exercise. In vigorous exercise group, the mean reduction of SBP119.14mmHg+l.08 at baseline is significant when compared with 108.46mmHg±l.10 at 60 minutes of exercise. The reduction in mean DBP of 76.66mmHg±0.93 at baseline is significant when compared with 60 minutes of exercise of 65 .29mmHg±O. 91. In male participants in the mild exercise, the reduction in mean SBP of 120.60mmHg±l.36 at baseline is significant when compared with the 106.9lmmHg±l.46 after 60 minutes of exercise. In female participants with mild exercise group the reduction in mean SBP of 121.08mmHg±l.44 at baseline is significant with the 116.83mmHg±l.65 after 60 minutes of exercise. The mean change of DBP at 60 minutes was 4.18mmHg±0.80 with mild exercise was significant with l l.37mmHg±0.71 at vigorous exercise. Conclusions: The reduction in BP measurements with exercise was lower in male than female. Exercise reduces SBP and DBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]